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Health authorities take medical staff to task

The health department named yesterday three doctors and two nurses who could be charged with maligning a patient who underwent an operation for the removal of a perfume canister from his rectum in a hospital in central Philippines last January.

  • By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 00:17 April 23, 2008
  • Gulf News

Manila: The health department named yesterday three doctors and two nurses who could be charged with maligning a patient who underwent an operation for the removal of a perfume canister from his rectum in a hospital in central Philippines last January.

Philips Leo Arias, head surgeon of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Centre (VSMMC) in Cebu City, assistant surgeons Angelo Linawagan and Max Joseph Montecillo; nursing attendant Rosemarie Villareal; and circulating nurse Carmina Sapio may face administrative charges for violating medical code of ethics, Secretary Francisco Duque said in a press conference.

Overcrowded room

Montecillo was not part of the operating team but was present at the overcrowded operation room for reasons he has to explain, said Duque.

More people will be identified as the health department participates in the preliminary investigation of the case, said Duque, adding the medical practitioners may also be charged with simple neglect or even grave misconduct.

The patient, identified only as George, 39, wanted to file a case against the doctors and medical staff who giggled and laughed at him while he was being operated on.

-With inputs by Cher Jimenez, Correspondent

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